At a joint meeting of the parliamentary groups "Ala-Too" and "Eldik" on January 30, Edil Baisalov, the deputy chairman of the cabinet, reported that the poverty level in Kyrgyzstan is about 25%, of which 33% are low-income families with children.
The official noted that 950 thousand children live below the poverty line. Families with children under 16 receive the "Uiy-bulogo komok" benefit in the amount of 1,200 soms.
He also added: "Recently, I met with the head of the cabinet, Adylbek Aleshovich, and he instructed to consider the possibility of increasing social benefits. For those receiving minimum benefits, we plan to add from 500 to 1,000 soms. For these purposes, 4.5 to 8 billion soms have been allocated."
Deputy Daniyar Tolonov suggested revising the criteria for assigning benefits for children under 16, pointing out that one of the conditions is a guaranteed minimum income for the family, which is set at 1,000 soms per person.
He emphasized: "If in a family there are parents and three children, and the father earns 5,000 soms, they receive the 'Uiy-bulogo komok' benefit, but if it's 6,000, then they do not. This does not mean that one can live normally on 6,000; it is absurd. Many people apply for assistance, but they are denied because the GMD exceeds 1,000 soms. These criteria need to be revised; this will require additional financial resources, so it is necessary to find sources."
It should be noted that social benefits are intended for citizens who are not entitled to pension provision.
